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Sunday, October 23, 2011

Just as the temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere start to slide and the leaves outside turn color, forming a carpet of fallen reds and browns on the earth; just as the vibrant nine day festival of the Mother Goddess in India winds to a close; just as the New Year Lantern Festival of the Chinese has been celebrated, the autumn harvest comes in and the birds prepare to journey south for the winter, we here at Saffron Tree gear up, yet again, to celebrate the passage and the birth of another year.

Yes, it is time for CROCUS 2011. Last year, we traveled around the world, delving deep into the cultures of the people, their customs, their music, the folktales and the fables, coming away with the feeling that in all that diversity, there is even more that unites us, in the way we live.

This year, we will continue this theme of unity, as we plunge headlong, into the very things that help us all subsist together as an ecosystem, both on a gross, external level, and on a sublime inner energy plane. This year, as Saffron Tree turns a glorious 5 years, it seems fitting to pay tribute to the 5 elements that we all have in common.

EARTHAIRFIREWATERSPACE

This past year has seen a lot of tumultuous changes on the face of Mother Earth and witnessed her churnings in the form of tsunamis, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes and forest fires. And while it becomes important for us to share the nature of the incidents that are changing our planet with our children, it is also equally necessary to help open their hearts to the idea, that all of this is, in fact, a harmonizing feature. That while the force and fury of Mother Nature can leave you humbled and seemingly without hope, there is also this beautiful gentle side, where every element has its place in the scheme of things, and is in balance with the other.

“Everything that is outside, is but a reaction, reflection and resound of what is on the inside.”

And what better bridge to this understanding, than through the pages of a book? A cover to cover exploration that begins only as the last page is turned and the book set down…

Raindrops on little noses…

The breeze lifting the tendrils off a tender face…

The glow of a happy smile over a birthday candle…

Little feet jumping wildly in the air, only to reach safely back on sure ground….

Bright twinkling stars that move beyond a nursery rhyme to a telescope on a moonlit night…

…and ultimately the space that lets it all be.

What is within, is also without. And the desire within to linger this year, on these 5 elements, connected us to the bountiful Universe of books, out there. And showcase them back to you, so that you, along with your children, can enjoy them and connect back to your own inner elements.

Kick starting this will be a lucky shot at our annual CROCUSWORD, a zany, teasing medley of words and clues with fun giveaways for the lucky winners, followed by back to back reviews of our choicest selection of books for all ages, plenty of art and craft activities to initiate the young minds and exciting interviews with real people on the field…arborists, archeologists, naturalists, sailing enthusiasts and so..much..more!

Earth, Fire, Air, Water, Space

Chi, Ka, Fu, Sui, Ku

Prithvi, Agni, Vayu, Jal, Akasha

It has different names, but a connected thread of resonance for all of us. Because these very elements are within us as well, forming the cradle of our life force. And that is why we here, at Saffron Tree, wish to dedicate this year’s CROCUS(Celebrate Reading Of Culturally Unique Stories) to glorifying the presence of these 5 universal elements, and the roles they play in harmonizing our lives.

A perfect start to the week ahead of us! You're absolutely right - we need to help our kids see what seems like destruction is also construction. Loved how you phrased this - "connected thread of resonance...which cradles life" Pretty much sums up why we need to respect the 5 elements.